Columbia, Mo. - The Mizzou Women's golf program is proud to welcome Katherine Hepler to the team. Hepler signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Missouri next fall, as announced by head coach Stephanie Priesmeyer.

A native of Lincoln, Ill., Hepler will come to Missouri from University High School in Normal, Ill. Hepler is undefeated in all matches and tournaments during her senior year of high school, including the IHSA Sectional tournament where she shot a 4-under-par, 68, to set a new women's course record. She also set a women's course record at the IHSA Regional as she shot a 63. At the IHSA State competition, Hepler scored 71-77 through two rounds to help her team secure a victory by just one stroke. Hepler's scores also earne d her a first place finish, making her the first girl in University High School history to win the Individual State Title. Not only that, but Hepler is a 10-time champion of the Drysdale Junior Golf Tournament.

Throughout her career, Hepler has set eight course records, including a 10-under-par round of 62 at the Lincoln Greens Golf Course which set the record for both men and women. She was also named the Junior PGA Player of the Year for the girls' 16-18 division after tying for 15th place at the Junior PGA Championship in Fort Wayne, Ind. She competed in the 2011 LPGA Future's Tour Player Championship in Decatur, Ill., where she tied for 35th place out of 156 golfers scoring 67-76-75-70.

Hepler has twice competed in the Illinois Women's Open, where she has earned a third place finish in two consecutive years. In 2009, she fired a 71-75-71 and followed up in 2010 with a 76-73-71. Hepler also took part in the Illinois Women's State Amateur competition where she earned medalist and junior medalist honors in 2010.

Hepler will major in Chemical Engineering at Mizzou, and she will be a part of the MU Honors College. As a result of her stellar academics, Hepler was also selected to participate in the very prestigious Honors College Discovery Fellows Program.
"We are excited to announce the signing of Katherine Hepler today," head coach Stephanie Priesmeyer said. "Kat will join us next fall and she will no doubt make an immediate impact on our team. She had a tremendous junior career and set many records her senior year at University High School in Normal, Ill. Currently, Kat is ranked 36th in the Class of 2012 prospects and has an overall ranking of 116 on the Junior Golf Scoreboard. She is a highly accomplished athlete but more importantly she is an absolute super star in the classroom. Kat will make a big difference on our golf team as well as leave a lasting impression on the faculty & staff that will have the opportunity to work with her on campus."

In addition to her excellence on the golf course and in the classroom, Hepler makes an effort to excel in her extracurricular activities as well. She is a four-year member of the Concert Band, Jazz Band and Marching Band as well as a three-year member of her high school's Pit Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, contributing to each group with her talents on the tenor saxophone, clarinet, baritone saxophone and bass clarinet. Hepler is a two-year member of University High School's Math Team, and she was named co-captain of the junior class team. In her junior year, Hepler earned the Individual Regional Title in Algebra II and also competed in the Scholastic Bowl in her junior and senior years. She enjoys tutoring chemistry and algebra students in her spare time as well.